Willowherb
Epilobium ciliatum
Onagraceae
Medicinal
Willowherb is an erect perennial (sometimes annual) native to north America. Its height ranges from small to quite tall (1.9m), although often smaller in nurseries and other situations. Flowers are a pink-purple colour. Removal is best done before plants produce seed and when plants are small. Willowherb is tolerant to gylphosate in later growth stages and will re-shootfollowing herbicide application. There are also reports of resistance to other herbicides (atrazine, paraquat and simazine). Naturally it is found in both wet and dry areas, however in agricultur null, it is often found in wet and moist sites. Plants can flower in five to six weeks following germination and mature seed four weeks later. Willowherb produces abundant wind-bourne seed and vigorous growth followinggermination can displace other plants. Willowherb is reported to be capable of self-pollinating.
Powdery mildew is known to occur on this plant. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds according to one source (Daves Garden). Various aphid species are known to feed on willowherb. It is also known to attract various moth species, with larval stages feeding on the plant and adults obtaining nectar from the flowers. Thrips have also been observed on willowherb.